Dump-car-door-operating mechanism



Aug. 3 1926.

A. CAMPBELL DUMP cm nooa OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 6 1925 E INVENTOR. ARGYLE CAMPBELL.

HIS ATTORNEY to provide a safety device for the operation oit'dump car doors f'rointhe side of cars and Patented Aug. 3, i926.

UNITEQ stares eater oFricE.

AEGYLE CAMPBELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ENTERPRISE RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

nnivrP-cAR-nooR-orEaA-TI-ne MECI-IANLtSM.

Application filed February 6, 1925. Serial- No. 7,284.

This invention relates to improvementsin dump car door operating mechanisms and formsa continuation in part of my pending application, Serial No- 691,830.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved form of door operating and locking mechanism wl'iich may be conveniently disposed in a restricted space and safely operated,

' A-more specific object of the invention is to so dispose and adapt the parts that they will be within the clearances required by law and be conveniently situated to permit ease of operation and safety to the operator and' yet possess the strength and ruggedness to-withstand the unusually severe service to wh ch such parts are commonly sub1ected.

The invention furthermore consistsin the improvements in the parts and devices and in the novel construction of the parts and tleyic'e's herein shown, descrlhed and clalmed. 1n the draw'ings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical transverse sectional view through a portion of a car showing my improvements associated therewith and also showing so much of the side wall of the car and door construction as will show the relation of the parts. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion'of the car showing the operating and locking mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig; 8' is a longitudinal sectional view of the doorlifting mechanism taken on a line corresponding substantially to line 3 3 of Fig. 1. at is ap'ersp'ective view of the outer end of the shaft. And Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken through the shaft rotating mechanism, substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, denotes one of the side walls of the car, 11 a fixed floor section extendinglongitudinally of the car adjacent the door opening, 12a fixed floor'section' extending transversely of the car adjacent the free edge of thedoor' and 1-3 a pivoted flfoor door 1 arranged to liesubstantially'flush with the fioor of the car when the'dooris in closed position; The doo'r13- is pivoted along an axis (not. shown on; the l drawing)! extendingitransversely-of the] car,

I and?Qlfi i'narilyi there will be" two doors" disposed in 'alii'iementon o posite sides of the center sill and operated in unison by a common shaft, a portion of which is shown at 14. Sliding latches 15, and connecting means, usually in the form of self-locking linkage mechanism 16, which is adapted to wind on a polygonal drum116 are generally provided for maintaining the door in closed position,- the construction being such that when the doors are closed and locked in position as indicated in Fig. 3, it is necessary to rotate the shaft let toward the ad jacent edge of the door until the point of connection between the latch 15; and the linkage 16 moves to oneside of-the center of the shaft, when the weight of the door and lading will be sufficient to cause the shaft to unwind the linkage and quickly open the door 13. The shaft 145 is disposed parallelto the free edges of the sets of pivoted doors in a plane below'the doors and he yond the path of movement of: the doors to permit the same to clear the shaft and associated parts. In actual practice, in a car such as indicated in the drawings, the shaft 14 passes through the centersillsof the car (not here shown) and is mounted in suitable bearings.

At'e'ach side of through the lower portion of the car side wall 10 and is mounted in a suitable bearing 1.7 which is secured to the bottom chord 110 of the side wall of" the car. The chord 110 preferably consists of an'angle member having one flange 18 disposedina vertical plane and another-flange 19 disposed on a horizontal plane. In cars of this type it is customary to extend the side wall of the car below the floor level of the car, thereby providing additional depth for the said side; and as shown in Figs. 1f and 2, it will be noted that the shaft 14 passes through the vertical flange 18 of the angle which is cut out for this purpose and the bottom chord is suitably reinforced at such a point by extending the hearing member 17 to either side 'of'the shaft-"and securing-thesame to the chord 110 at its horizontal and vertical fian'ges as car sidewall asshownat 2 2. 3 1

The shaft rotating mechanisniis d'isposed extje i-orlyofthe side wall of the car', the-preferred construe o includes'f-a ratchshownat 20,- and also to -the 'plate 21 o'fthe e t -"whel 23; orbther siniilar suitable-toothed the car, the shaft extends member, which is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 14, preferably by forming theportion of the shaft adapted to receive the ratchet of square section, as indicated at 24, and

providing a holein the ratchet wheel of corresponding shape.

. integrally with one of ear Rotatably mounted with respect to 7th ratchet wheel '23, is the shaft rotating mechanism proper, designated broadly by the ref- 7 erence character A. Saidmechanism includes an actuating device comprising an ins ner wall 25, and an outer supporting plate providing a wall 26, such walls being disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet wheel, and united by means. of rivets 2?, each of the rivets being encircled by a boss 23, so as to 29, formed inIthe other of said walls, for the purpose of lessening the stra n on the rivets 2. as rotation of the mechanism is effected. The outer wall 26 of the actuating mechanism is provided with an ntegrally formed squared portion 30, which is adapted .to receive the endof an operating wrench, where by said actuating device may be rotated. The squared porti0n30 on the wall 26 is provided withan opening forthe reception of a circular portion 31, forming part of the shaft, 14, the circular portion providing a hub onwhich the outer wall of the actuating levice is mounted so as to rotate freely.

The inner wall of the actuating device is also pivotally supported upon the shaft 14:,

in a manner hereinafter described. A pawl 32 is pivotally mounted on one of the bosses and by means of this pawl, operativezengagement may be established between the rotatable mechanism A and the ratchet wheel 23.

(lo-operable with the ratchet wheel 23 is a a locking pawl 33 which is, adapted tobe locked by means of-a cam Said members 33 and 3e are respectively'rnounted on bosses35-3-5 formed integrally with a base plate 36 WlllclrlS secured to the car structure-directly by means of a rivet 37 and also byImeans of rivets 38 which pass through the said bosses, which rivets also serve to secure in position a'strap 39 which extends over said pawl 33 and cam 34, and maintains both of said members against lateral displacement. The base plate 36 ispreferably mounted on the car structure independently of the shaft, and the rivets-37 and 38 provide an excellent anchorage on the car structure for the same. The locking pawl 33 andthe operating pawl 32 operate on the ratchet wheel 23 and are substantially in the same vertical plane, and therefore in order fito. provide the greatest possible extent of sweep for'the pawl-32the bosses 28 28 are disposed, relat ve y: close s then; being sition.

init of securing the ratchet wheel 23 to the shaft 1a, andjfor this purpose a hub 40 formed integrally with the said ratchet 23 is extended lengthwise of theshaft and a pin 41 passes'through the said hub eOand the shaft 14,. said pin 41 being disposed immediately adjacent the. inner wall 25 of the mechanism. The inner wall 25 is rotatably mounted upon the hub portion 40, and as previously described the outer wall 26 of the mechanism is'mounted on the circular end 31 of the shaft, the actuating device being thus pivotally carried by the shaft 14. In

orderto dispose thepawl 33 and cam 34in the same vertical plane as the ratchet wheel the base portion 36 is spaced outwardly from the side wall by meansof enlarge The rotating bosses as indicated at 42.,

mechanism A may be assembled with the ratchet wheel 23 and inserted on the shaft as a self-contained unit y the pin ll.-

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the; position shown in Figs. land 2, the operator, after disengaging the locking earn 341-, from the pawl 33, and swinging the latter freeof the ratchet wheel 23, and placing the pawl 32 in engagement with ratchet wheel 23, engages the squared portion 30 of themechanism with a wrench, effecting rotation of the shaft 14 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby forcing the latch 15 rearwardly until the same is moved to one side of the axis of the shaftfwhen the weight of the door and ladingi will 'besuff cient to open the door and -unison therewith, but on the contrary will .be held steady while the open ng movement of the door is being completed; 1 The door closing operation is the reverse ofthe opening operation, the locking pawl 33 being turned into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and the pawl 32 engaged therewith to rotate the shaft 14 intheoppositedirection until the doors are ,drawn to closedpo- Y Althoughl have shown and described herein what-I now consider preferred'emheiress Qt: thei s iwz the sea s ar and locked in position merely illustrative and I contemplate: all changes andmodifications that come-within the'scope of theclaims appended hereto.

I'claim:

a 1. Ina car doonoperating mechanism, the combination with a winding shaft; of a toothed member rigid with respect to the shaft; a rotatable.member mounted on the end-oftheshaft, said member having a por' tiononithe end thereof disposed of in the planeof the operating shaft and adapted to beengaged by an operatingtool; and a pawl member carried by the rotatable member adaptedrt'oengage withthe toothed member.

2. In-a cardoor operating mechanism, the combination with a winding shaft; of i a ratchet wheel member fixedly mounted on the shaft; an actuating device rotatably mounted on the shaft and having inner-and outer walls disposed: on opposite sides of said ratchet wheel, the outer wall having a projection formed thereon adapted to be engaged by an operating tool, said projection being-co-axially disposedwith reference to said shaft; and an offset pawl member pivotally moimted'between the wallsof actuating device and adapted to co-act with the ratchet wheel to rotate the shaft.

3. In a car door operating mechanism, the combination with a winding shaft; of a toothed member fixedly mounted on the shaft; a rotatable member mounted on the shaft and presenting; inner and outer walls respectively disposed on opposite sides of the toothed member; the outer wall having an outward lateral extension adapted for engagement by an operating tool, said extension being hollow and journalled directly on the end of the shaft; and a pawl member disposed between the walls and pivotally mounted on the rotatable member and adapted to co-act with the toothed member to rotate the shaft.

st. In a railway car, the combination with a dump door; of an operating shaft; a

ratchet wheel fixedly mounted thereon;

shaft rotating means including inner and outer walls disposed respectively on opposite sides of the ratchet wheel; connecting means between the respective walls, said means including a plurality of bosses adapted to space the walls apart and securing means extending through the bosses to unite the walls, said bosses being disposed beyond the periphery of the ratchet wheel and contained within an arc of 180; an operating pawl carried by one of said bosses; and a locking pawl pivotally mounted on the car structure and adapted to also engage the ratchet wheel and lock the shaft against rotation.

5. In a car door operating mechanism, the combination with a winding shaft; of a ratchet wheel non-rotatably mounted on the shaft; an operating member rotatably mounted on the shaft and having a pawl member adaptedto engage with the ratchet wheel; locking means mounted on the car structure independently of the shaft, said means including a base plate having bosses formed integrally therewith and alocking pawl and cam respectively pivotally mounted on the said bosses, said pawl being adapted to engage the said ratchet wheel to lock the sl'iaft against rotation and the cam being adapted to lock the pawl relatively to the ratchet wheel; a. strap adaptedto extend over the said pawl and cam; and means passing through said bosses and strap for securing the locking means to the car structure.

6; In a railway car, the combination with the side wall of thecar; of a door hinged on an axis extending transversely of the car; an extension on the sidewall of the car depending below the plane of the door; shaft supporting means-disposed inwardly of the car wall; and a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft outwardly of the-car wall and adapted to be engaged forrotating and'locking the shaft; a'base plate mounted on the car wall independently ofthe shaft and having lociiin pawl and looking cam b pivotally mounted thereon, said lockingpawl being adapted to engage the ratchet. wheel and be locked in position relatively thereto by the car; and shaft rotating means having inner and outer walls pivotallymounted on opposite sides of said ratchet wheel and having a pawl adapted for engagement with the said ratchet, said outer wall having a lateral extension disposed co-a rially with.

said shaft and adapted for engagementby an operating tool. r

7. ln a'railway car the combination with the side wall of the car; of a door hinged on an axis extending at right angles to the side wall of the car; an extension on the side wall of the car depending below the plane of the door; a bottom chord including an angle shaped member having the vertical flange secured to the car side and the horizontally extending'flange forming the lower margin of the said side wall; a shaft disposed adiacent the free edge of the door and passing through the verticalfflange of the angle member; a bearing'for the shaft secured to both vertical and horizontal flanges of the angle and also-secured to the car wall independent-1y of the angle member; and shaft rotating and locking means disposed outside of the car wall.

8. In a railway car, the combination with the side wall of the car; of a door hinged on an axis transversely of the car; an extension on the side wall of the car depending below the plane of the door; shaft supporting means disposed inwardly of the car wall; and shaft rotating and locking means being disposed outwardly of the rear wall, said &

shaft rotating means including a ratchet wheel member on the shaft and a member rotatably mounted relatively thereto and adapted to engage the same through the medium of an operating pawl, the said shaft locking means including a base plate mounted on the car wallindependently oi the ratchet wheel and carrying a locking pawl and a locking cam, said locking pawl being adapted to engage the said ratchet wheel.

9. In a device of the character described, incluc'nga clutch mechanism adapted for the operation of acar door operating shaft, said mechanism comprising a'ratchet wheel adapted to be fixedly mountedon the operating shaft,v said ratchet having on one side thereof a hub portion extending laterally from the ratchet'wheel; inner and outer walls disposed on therespective sides of the ratchet wheel, the inner ofsaidwalls being rotatably mounted on the said huh portion and the outer of said walls beingdirefctly mounted onthe end portion of said shaft and formed with an extension adaptedto be, engaged by an operating tool for-rotating the mechanism; spacing means between the respective walls; andfa pawladapted for clutch engagement with the ratchet in either direction. 4

V 10. In a device of the fcha-racter described, including af-clutch mechanism adapted for the operation of a car dooroperating shaft,

said mechanismcomprising a ratchet wheel adapted to be fixedly mounted on the operating shaft, said ratchet having on one side thereof ahub portion extending laterally f from the ratchet wheel; inner and outer walls disposed on the respective sides of the ratchet wheel, the inner oi s-aid Walls being rotatably mounted on the said hub portion and the outer of said walls being formed with an extension adapted to be engaged by an operating tool-forrotating the mechanism; spacing means between the respective pivotally'motinted with respect to said shaft and havingportions disposed 1n offset position relative to said shaft; a pawl pivotally inountedon one ofsaid ofiset portions and adapted 'iorfengagement with said ratchet wheel; 'andnieans on said actuating device disposed co-axially wlth said shaft and adapted for there cepti'on of an operating element.

In witness thatI-cla-im the foregoing I havehereunto subscribed myname this 4th dayof February, 1925.

ARGYLE CAMPBELL. 

